More than 70 high-level overseas professionals and researchers have attended a recruitment and matchmaking seminar at the annual Zhongshan Trade and Investment Fair underway in the Pearl River Delta city.

"Their latest research and potential projects fit well with our industrial development strategy and will help upgrade businesses in Zhongshan," said Feng Yurong, the city's vice-mayor.

We are making efforts to develop the city into a gathering place of high-level talent," he said.

More than 50 of the participants are doctoral professionals from the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, Russia and Japan.

"Seek investment partners, the technologies and projects they are bringing here include biotech, electronic information, new energy, environmentally friendly materials and cloud computing," Feng said.

As well, more than 500 recent graduates from 20 leading Chinese higher education institutes such as Tsinghua University and China University of Political Science and Law are participating in the recruiting effort.

"We will organize some local entrepreneurs to meet the participating talent and help build cooperation between them," said Chen Jiangmei, deputy director of Zhongshan Party committee's organization department.

A total of eight technology deals have now been signed during the fair, according to Chen.

Participants were also invited to visit some industrial zones in Zhongshan, she added.

"We hope they will take back information they have learned in Zhongshan to better promote the city's business and investment environment among overseas higher educational institutes and professionals," Chen said.

Local preferential policies to attract overseas talent include monthly subsidies when they relocate.

"We will organize more job fairs in the near future to meet the needs of local businesses," Chen said.

For more information, please visit www.zszg.gov.cn, www.gdzs.lss.gov.cn and www.zs.gov.cn

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/30/2012 page11)